Issue 961 visits two new libraries by David Adjaye in Washington DC, visually stirring objects that stand out in their surroundings, in which the aesthetics of restraint are inflected with an almost utopian exuberance. In Bangkok, the (all)zone collective transforms the surrounding urban disorder in an act of creativity, as exemplified in their project for a recent open-air market in the city.
The September issue presents six micro-publishing powerhouses, exploring how the digital revolution has spawned a new generation of small, agile and hyperactive publishers who, over the last decade, have profoundly transformed how architecture and design are broadcast, both in print and online. The Supernormal series continues with an examination of today's editorial apps, which allow everyone to construct publications as they please, and, in the wake of the recent "Notes from the Archive" retrospective at the CCA, Domus meets up with Anthony Vidler, Mirko Ilic and Fabrizio Gallanti to discuss what it means to stage an architectural exhibition today. Issue 961 also includes an 80-page special report on sustainable design's latest innovations.
Table of contents
Cover
The drawing on this issue's cover, titled 900 km Nile City, was created by baukuh in collaboration with Antonio Buonsante, Matilde Chitolina, Livia Shamir and Cecilia Tramontano
Editorial: Design or extinction
baukuh
Op–ed: Exquisite corpse
David Neustein
Journal
Edited by Elena Sommariva
Photoessay
The river runs through it. Giovanna Silva
Books for all
Libraries, as Gideon Fink Shapiro explains, could be the solution for the countless communities with no access to the elementary advantages of city life. Design Adjaye Associates. Text Gideon Fink Shapiro. Photo Yoo Jean Han. Edited by Laura Bossi
The creative management of chaos
All(zone) is a Bangkok-based collective that goes against expectations and clichés by venturing into the chaotic streets of the metropolis to transform urban disorder into an act of creativity. Text Supitcha Tovivich. Photo Piyawut Srisakul. Edited by Laura Bossi
Stratified architecture
At the new tourist centre in Asakusa, Kengo Kuma harmonises the verticality of the ancient Sensoji Temple's pagoda and the widespread horizontality of pitched-roof houses. Text Salvator-John A. Liotta. Photo Daici Ano. Edited by Rita Capezzuto
The 900-kilometre-long city
A project investigating settlements along the Nile Valley outlines possible strategies. Design Atelier Kempe Thill, baukuh, grau, lola, Aymen Hashem. Text Matilde Cassani. Photo Stefano Graziani, Bas Princen. Edited by Rita Capezzuto
Angelo Mangiarotti 1921—2012
A tireless pioneer, an intransigent worker who never forgot his civil and ethical commitment. This is how Domus remembers Angelo Mangiarotti.Text Beppe Finessi. Photo Archivio Mangiarotti. Edited by Elena Sommariva
Skateable sculpture
The sculpture by Koo Jeong-A, by day it is a open-air theatre for young people to show off their moves, by night it is a phosphorescent "artist's lair". Artist Koo Jeong-A. Text Federico Nicolao. Photo Grégoire Basdevant. Edited by Elena Sommariva
Publishing to the power of two
The digital revolution has spawned a new generation of small, agile and hyperactive publishers. Text Shumi Bose. Photo Yoo Jean Han, Adriano Mauri, Simon Menges, Richard Nicholson. Edited by Loredana Mascheroni
Photographers: architecture critics of today?
In the field of contemporary architectural photography, Davide Ponzini identifies four key figures whose images effectively convey perceptions of the urban contexts in which we live. Text Davide Ponzini. Edited by Rita Capezzuto
SuperNormal. diy Magazines
Today's "editorial" apps are characterised by a dualism in the design of layouts—in favour of either text or image. Alexandra Lange examines this trend and the types of users. Text Alexandra Lange. Edited by Rita Capezzuto. Infographic Simone Trotti
James Stirling a travelling archive
The extensive James Stirling retrospective Notes from the Archive concludes its world tour at the Canadian Centre for Architecture, which holds the archives of the British architect's office. Interview Roberto Zancan. Edited by Rita Capezzuto
Moroso 60 years of prototypes
Moroso has celebrated its 60th anniversary with a show at Milan's HangarBicocca, where the firm asked Martino Gamper to conceive a "metamorphosis" of its most famous pieces. Interview Roberto Zancan. Photo Stefano De Monte. Edited by Loredana Mascheroni
Network: Jimenez Lai Bureau Spectacular
Jimenez Lai's life-as-art architectural extravaganza subverts traditional notions of architectural production. Text Matt Shaw
documenta (13) Good morning, princess!
The 13th edition of documenta, directed by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, attempts to historicise a present that is still in evolution. Text Paola Nicolin. Edited by Loredana Mascheroni
Rassegna
Outdoor. Edited by Elena Sommariva
Panorama
Edited by Guido Musante
Cold Case
Heinz Galinski Jewish Elementary School. Edited by Luigi Spinelli